Folding furniture leg



1933 w. M. BOENNING 1,923,417

FOLDING FURN ITURE LEG Filed Nowi. 9, 1931 to Figure 3 Patented Aug. 22, 1933 UNlTE STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention appertains to furniture, and specifically to folding furniture legs of the type particularly adapted for use in connection with folding card tables, and the like.

One of the primary objects of this invention is the provision of novel means for connecting the leg in position so that the leg can be readily and easily swung by an operator, either to its folded or set position, and at the same time firmly held against accidental movement, either in its folded or operative position.

Another salient object of my invention is the provision of a novel bracket carried by the table top, to which is hingedly connected the swinging leg, the bracket being of such construction as to firmly brace the table top and at the same time form an efficient hinge for the leg.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel swinging leg structure for collapsible '20 card tables of the above character, which will be durable and efficient in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple two-piece leg brace and lock mechanism which can be manufactured at a minimum cost,

the same having no complicated parts to become worn or inoperative.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, ar-

rangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 represents a fragmental side elevation of a table having foldable legs equipped with brace means embodying the features of my invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view illustrating the leg and brace means in partial folded position.

is a bottom plan view of the same, illustrating the fully folded position.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the strap-brace and associated parts, the section being indicated by line 4-4 of Figure l.

Fi ure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same, the section being indicated by line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged side elevation of the brace strap and its swiveled bracket connection with the leg, with parts broken away to more clearly illustrate the structural features, and

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view, similar to Figure 5, showing the brace-strap free for sliding engagement with the oscillatory bracket associated therewith.

The drawing illustrates the usual arrangement of folding tables, in which the leg 1 is pivotally secured to the side rails 2 which carry the table top 3. Also, pivotally secured to one of the side rails 2 is a strap-brace 4, which brace is preferably composed of spring metal and its free outer end is in sliding engagement with an oscillatory bracket 5. The bracket 5 is pivoted to the leg 1 by a pivot screw 6, and the said bracket is provided with longitudinally guide flanges 7, between which the strap 4 is free to slide. As shown in the drawing, one of the flanges 7 is provided with an inwardly turned lip 8 which serves to prevent disengagement of the strap 4 from its position with relation to the aforesaid bracket.

The base of the bracket is also provided with an upset locking lug 9 for engagement with an aperture 4 formed in the end of the strap 4. This engagement is effected when the table leg 1 is distended to its supporting position.

The end of the strap-brace 4 is provided also with a downwardly extended lug portion or depression 4" which serves to insure locking engagement between the strap and bracket when said leg is in its supporting position. 7

From the foregoing description it is obvious that when it is desired to fold the table legs downwardly into nested engagement with the rails in the bottom of the table, the upper free end of the strap is pressed outwardly by the operator, thus disengaging the locking aperture 4 from the lug 4 of the oscillatory bracket. When this engagement is effected, however, the strap will be held in its associated position with the bracket, due to the stop lip 8. Hence, as soon as the locking means is disengaged the leg can be swung inwardly, as shown in Figure 2, and will slide through the oscillatory bracket to compensate for the folding movement, and when the parts are in full folded position, as shown in Figure 3, the leg, rail and bracket will be in parallel nested position.

While I have shown and described the invention minutely as to detail with reference to the drawing, it is understood that I may vary the structural features as come within the scope of the claim.

I claim:-

The combination with a table including side rails, a top and a swinging leg, of a brace strap 1 for the leg in pivotal union with one of the side rails, the strap having a transverse keeper recess therein adjacent to its outer end, and a struck-up longitudinally extending stop rib extending from the outer end of the brace strap to the recess,

strap when it is desired to fold the leg inward, the rib forming an abutment for the lug, and a confining ear carried by the bracket disposed in spaced parallel relation to the face of the bracket and partly overhanging said lug to insure fric tional engagement of the strap with said lug.

WILLIAM M. BOENNING. 

